Porsche Diversions Porsche Diversions

After pounding out nearly 100 hours straight on the IH box - it was time for some alternative entertainment....of the German kind:

The E-tek Porsche Boxster is a completely different ride than is the '67 Galaxie, the 46 Merc, or the 71 Datsun. It's fast, smooth, classy and a completely different experience than anything else I own. But over the summer, the German super-sport had begun to fail. Idle started to get choppy. It began to lurch and then, last week, warm-up started taking longer and idle was almost non-existent.

Being a new, sophisticated, EFI model, many people would shy away from trying their hand at trying to fix it's woes. But in reality, the newer machinery, with it's complex computer systems and multitude of sensors, is actually quite easy for the do-it-yourselfer to remedy. Most issues are due to either dirty - or damaged  - sensors and the ODB system points you in the general direction. All you have to do is plug in an ODB2 reader, Google the codes and then Google some forums to get the most likely answers to the issue.

In my case, my $50 ODB2 reader showed 3 codes: P0102, P1126 and P0507. Plugging them all into Google led me to the Pelican Parts (http://www.pelicanparts.com) technical page. Pelican Parts is a European specific repair shop online presence, with parts house and information center run by some of the nicest guys I've ever met - online.

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After reading some of the tech articles and conversing online with one of their tech experts, I learn that P0102 is the Mass Airflow Circuit, P1126 an O2 sensor code and P0507 an Idle Air Control System error code. Translation?  The MAF sensor and throttle body needed to be cleaned!

So off I went into the shop, grabbed a can of Thottlebody cleaner and one specifically for MAF sensors and went to work. After putting the Boxster into engine-access mode (roof half up, engine covers removed), I removed both items from the engine and proceeded to clean them up:

MAF sensor location: Both the MAF and TB are fairly easily accessible, if you don't mind leaning over the ass-end of your boxster for several hours....

 MAF sensor removal: Oddly, Porsche decided to use T20 Security Torx screws on it, which is great because I got to use a tool that until this point, laid dormant in my tool box!

Security Torx have a little 'nipple' in the middle, so a special driver bit is required:

Once the MAF and TB were out, they got spray-cleaned with specific cleaners available at any auto-parts of general goods store. I got mine at Ukrainian Tire.

Good MAF photo with insets of wire connection, T20 Secure-bit and a can of CRC's MAF cleaner. (From Pelican Parts)

You can see how this might affect performance.... The dirt and intake crud was probably affecting how much the throttle plate could move - and especially close - causing the "Idle Air Control" error.

Half-cleaned:

One side cleaned:

Other side cleaned:

Cleaned MAF:

Once everything was re-installed, I cleaned up the engine compartment and - with fingers crossed - started it up. And WHAT A DIFFERENCE!  Every issue I was experiencing prior was gone. With the ODB2 Code Reader I reset all the codes and took it for a test drive. Driveability was back to normal and NONE of the codes returned. Who said Porsche's cars were expensive and hard to work on? In my book, THAT'S a cheap fix!

So, with the drivers back in order, I can enjoy what's left of summer cruising while continuing the restorations on the IH and the 240Z. I LOVE cars.

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Porsche Boxster update - show and go!

And now for a little something different....

 I wanted to show my mistress, a 2001 Porsche Boxter -S, a little extra love this season, so in additon to new O2 sensors and an oil change, I bought some decals and strip-lights to add a little show to the go -

First, I sprayed down the O2 sensors with penetrating oil to make removal easier -

Then, while waiting for the penetrating spray to do its job, I undid the sump oil bolt

After releasing the now black (?!) oil, I changed out the filter                               

While still on the underside, I uethe O2 sensors and swapped them out using this great set of tube-pliers to press the tab and bull out the plug-end

 Gettingto the "show" part of the work, I taped the side decals on, peeled the backing paper off, then squeegeed them down.

                                 I cut the ends a bit away from the edges to finish them out:

I love my toys!  

I haven't blogged for a bit, taking a rare break from shop life, due to the 68 Camaro being in paint, all but the Datsun being complete drivers, and wanting to spend time with my growing family over the summer. As summer draws to a close though, there's maintenance to get done when you have a stable of cars and - with the family off to the family farm for the weekend - I got the chance to get a few things done on the E-fleet!

The Boxster I bought in May has been an absolute blast. If you love cars - and driving - you really cannot dislike the Porsche 986. It's fast, classy, drives great and looks even better. It's a car-lovers car. The battery was a bit low - which will happen when you don't drive a newer car enough to re-charge the loss due to "always on" electronics.

The 81 T/A has also been a blast this summer. Although its a straight up culture-bomb, an instant car-show wherever you go, its certainly not a drivers car like the Porsche. The T/A is for cruising, enjoying the sun, watching people react, hearing them yell: "Great ride!". It's been for sale - and almost sold this weekend - but when the buyers to-be pushed me on the price, I said "No way!" and took it back home. I'd sooner keep it than let it go too easily. Its become another strong part of the E-fleet!

                           In my attempt at styling our attached garage this year, I added this little display:

                           Now I just need to find replicas of all the cars I own in 'HotWheel' form!

Out in the shop once again, my tool box has become a shrine to everything (and everyone) I love:

 Mrs E-tek's Mini Cooper's brake indicator light wass on. Since I just did front pads last summer,  I summize it's due to the front or rear rotors being worn to the point that they are setting off the caliper sensors (damn sensors!). So, up on the hoist it went, with hydaulic jack lifting the front end -

Off came the front tyres, exposing the old rotors -

New Ate rotors - superior to stock in every way -

It took barely 20 minutes per side (and the requisite cussing!) and it was all done...

Nice looking parts too...

And since that entire execise took less than an hour, I still had some time (and energy) to pull the pistons for the 390 out of the solvent washer, clean them up and begin pulling the rings off each:                                                                                                                                                                                                              

More soon!
In the meantime, check out my full website:
www.e-tekrestorations.googlepages.com